Reflector



Oct. 31, 1939-. J, A, 'HOEVELER REFLECTOR Original Filed Nov. 11, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Oct. 31, 1939. J A HQEVELER 2,177,717

REFLECTOR Original Filed Nov. 11, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Get. 31, I939 PATENT orrics Application November 11, 1932, Serial No. 642,255- Renewed" March 8, 1934 seems. (Cl. ziozs), 1

My invention relates to a reflectorand, in particulan'to a reflector useful in-indirect and semi-indirect systems of illumination.

It has been the practice heretofore to employ I a translucent or an=opaque bowlenclosing a light source such as an electric bulb and a reflector comprisingtwoseparateportions, alightrreflecting-portion and a lighttransmitting portion. Although this arrangement has been used universally, as far as myknowledge extends, there are 'seyeralserious objections to it. In most indirect lighting fix tures, the opaque bowl enclosing the reflector and bulbhas an open top and the same is true of the reflector itself. This means-that the reflector serves as a dirt catcher and; whenit is -necessary to clean an indirect lighting fixture, the two parts of the the reflector must be removed from the bowl individually. The necessity of individually removing the separate pieces of the reflector increases'the likelihood of breakage and mairesit possible for the unit to be restored; to service with the lighttransmitting portion ofthe reflector missing from its place, This interferes,

seriously with the desired and'intended functioning of the unit, and what is worse, it permits the collection of dust within the outer bowl" itself; Thus, in addtion to the increased likelihood of breakage of the parts of the reflector, there is also the chance that the parts may be lost or misplaced.

I have, invented a reflector for direct or indirect lighting fixtures which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages of the present twopart construction. In accordance with my invention; I provide a reflector comprising a single unitary glass member of bowl or dome shape having a reflecting coating, such as silver, applied reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating thereof.

Figure flector;

Figure a present preferred embodiment In the drawings: l is an outside plan view of the re- 2 isan inside plan view;

Figure 3 is a side elevation;

Figure 4 is a cross section;

Figure 5 is a side elevation partly in section showing the reflector installed in one type of lighting fixture; i

Figure 6- is a similar View showing another type of fixture;

'Figure 7 is a similarview showing a still further type of fixture; and

Figure 8 is a similar View showing another form of fixture,

Referring in detail to the drawings, the reflectorof my invention comprises an integral glass bowlor dome H The lateral surface of the bowl or dome isprovided' with a reflecting surface, as by silvering, as shown at i l. The bottom of the reflector, shown at It; may be left clear, ormay be coloredor made translucent'as desired. The reflector is preferably formed by molding in a single piece and, while I have illustrated a reflector of a particular shape, it will be apparent that other shapes of reflectors may be similarly made. The shape of the light transmitting portion, l2, in particular, is subject to wide variation.

The use of the invention in connection. with a number of diiferent standard types of lighting fixtures of both the semi-indirect and the in direct systems is shown in Figures 5 through 8.

In each} of these figures, a, socket husk i5 is suspended on the usual; hanger IE from a canopy l1. Radial arms 18" extending downwardly and outwardly from the husk I5 are adapted to support different types of bowls. The bowl shown in Figure 5 comprises an opaque portion l9 preferably of sheet metal, and a translucent bottom 20. the unit and the reflector H] of my invention is mounted therein as illustrated;

The function of the reflecting portion II of the reflector, of course, is to throw light from a bulb 2| screwed into the socket in the husk i5, upwardly on to the ceiling 22 to afford indirect illumination. The light transmitting portion l2 of the reflector causes the illumination of the translucent bottom of the globe so as to provide for direct illumination. The fixture of Figure 5, thus combines the principles of direct and indirect illumination. The reflector ii] rests in a seat 23 formed in the upper edge of the outer bowl of the fixture.

The outer bowl shown in Figure 6 has an opaque lateral portion, 24 and a cap or dome 25 spaced therefrom which may be opaque or translucent. If it is opaque, light is distributed only indirectly by reflection from the ceiling or from the cap 25 and the side wall 24 of the bowl.

These parts together form the exterior of 7 shield and a reflector.

rior illumination of the outer bowl producesavery striking effect and, by the use of a suitable H color medium, light of any desired color may be reflected on to the bowl exterior to harmonize with various descorative combinations.

In Figure 8, the bowl comprises an opaque lateral wall 28 and a translucent outer bowl 29 seated therein.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention provides a novel form of reflector comprising a one-piece glass bowl or dome having a lateral wall provided with a reflecting surface and a bottom of light transmitting characteristics, either translucent or transparent. This unitary construction providing light transmitting and light reflecting portions, I believe to be entirely novel in the art and it is characterized by numerous important advantages. As already stated, the cleaning of a single unitary reflector having both light reflecting and light transmitting portions, is much simpler than the cleaning of two separate portions which have always been used heretofore. The danger of breakage in handling is also minimized, as has previously been pointed out. It is impossible for the reflecting portion of the reflector to be replaced without the light transmitting portion thereof and the interior of the outside bowl is thus protected from the collection of dirt. The invention thus serves the dual purpose of a dust The reflector lends itself well to use in fixtures of the completely indirect type, as well as to those of the semi-indirect type. In the former it may be desirable to silver the entire surface of the reflector instead of leaving a portion thereof clear or translucent. The cost of the one-piece reflector of my invention is another fact in its favor as contrasted with the old two-piece structure.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited as to the shape of the reflector, either the light reflecting or light transmitting portions, nor the shape or type of the outside bowl with which it is used. Although I have illustrated and described herein, but one type of reflector, it will be apparent that numerous changes in the design and construction thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

' I claim:

1. In an illuminating unit, the combination with an outer bowl, of a reflector seated therein,

and a light source within said reflector, said reflector comprising an integral glass member of 'dish shape having a reflecting portion and a light transmitting portion, said portions having substantially the same degree of curvature, the

edge of the reflector being seated on said outer bowl.

2. In an illuminating fixture, the combination with an outer, opaque bowl, a reflector bowl seated therein having a peripheral reflecting portion and a central light transmitting portion integral therewith, said portions being continuous and of substantially the same curvature, of a reflector cap spaced axially from said bowls, effective to direct the light passing through said transmitting portion on to the exterior of the first-mentioned bowl.

3. In an illuminaing device, the combination with an open bottom, opaque bowl tapering downwardly whereby to permit the exterior illumination thereof by light reflected from below, a light source supported within the bowl, an integral, one-piece reflector suspended in the bowl by its upper edge, said reflector having upper reflecting and lower transmitting portions and being shaped and adapted to reflect the major portion of the light from said source upwardly and outwardly of said bowl and to transmit a minor portion of the light downwardly through the open bottom of the bowl, and a second reflector spaced below the open bottom of the bowl adapted to reflect said minor portion of the light onto the exterior of said bowl.

JOHN A. HOEVELER. 

